Sorting out the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of 2016
T’was a mood-souring year, dubbed the worst here and there. It’s arguable as to when things in 2016 really got bad. As a music aficionado/child of the 80’s, 2016 started to sink with the death of David Bowie. It was sad to see a musical artist disappear from the world of song and dance. His look, his rhythm and beauty are exquisitely captured in “Let’s Dance!” I’ll never hear that song again without envisioning David Bowie in his glory days.
In the months that ensued, there were losses of a multitude of musical artists, many of whom were my personal favorites. Retro Prince was a high school favorite. I used to love turning back the time listening to some of his older hits, including “Sexy M.F.” and more! Even today, I can hear the Prince influence in so many of the current musical artists that I love. “Kiss” will forever more bring me back to that moment in 2016 when a good friend broke the news. Another great gone, I thought. As the months went by, pop culture, sports, and art said goodbye to a slew of talented singers, athletes and actors, including Alan Rickman and the great Muhammad Ali. We said goodbye to the great poet, Leonard Cohen, who sang for our souls.
In the final days of 2016, we said goodbye to another trio of fantastic artists. George Michael’s music was the soundtrack to my youth. “Last Christmas” will never be the same. Star Wars fans were also heartbroken with the death of Carrie Fisher, known as the beloved Princess Leia. The loss was further saddened by the subsequent death of Carrie’s mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, only one day later. From a musical and art perspective, 2016 shut the doors on so much of what I grew up with. These were the artists of my youth. They made the movies and music that I grew up with. They were in the spotlight as I became a teenager and then an adult, and that spotlight has now dimmed.
2016 brought with it a bevy of bad news, not just from a pop culture perspective. Earlier this year, we saw the devastating Brexit, and increasing violence throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Here in North America we experienced the threat of the Zika virus, homicidal clowns, and US politics. The most shocking news of 2016 arose from the US Presidential election. In the hours that followed the release of the election results, I, like my peers, felt so fortunate to be a Canadian living in Canada. Despite that, the news was sad—it’s sad for our friends to the south, our neighbours, for women, and for minorities.
As we enter the New Year, we must also think about what has happened to enlighten our lives in 2016. What can we bring with us into 2017? What can we happily remember? First, I remember that Leonardo DiCaprio won his first (well-deserved and overdue) Oscar. The message received is that hard work pays off. Pop culture gave us two fabulous series! Stranger Things was phenomenal as was American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson. The summer brought us a Portuguese victory via EuroCup! (This is great news if you love soccer and are Portuguese, like me). We also saw a flurry of Pokémon Go-ers, getting outside and enjoying Toronto. In October 2016, the government of Canada announced that Viola Desmond would be the second woman, following the Queen, to be captured on Canadian currency. Bob Dylan won a Nobel Prize in late 2016 in literature for his contributions via song.
There were many great moments in 2016. I think of three that are personal and meaningful to me. In April 2016, I wrote my last 1L (I mean 1Hell) exam. I successfully completed that first grueling year of law school while being a mom. I was privileged to attain that accomplishment in the company of my respected peers (shout-out to Section B), some of whom have become great friends. I was fortunate to celebrate that accomplishment with my family! In September 2016, I received the honor of meeting Madam Justice Rosalie Abella. This was not just an unforgettable moment of 2016, but an unforgettable moment in my legal career and in my life. And finally, in December 2016, after a grueling four months, and two back-to-back exams, I got to welcome the half-way point toward my JD degree. I’m half-way there. These moments remind me of how fortunate I am, to have a wonderful family and a great group of friends supporting me in my endeavors.
Yes, some of 2016 was bad and ugly. Despite that, there were many great and meaningful 2016 moments. I urge you to think of them, and remember them fondly and with gratitude. Take those great moments with you into 2017. Let them inspire you! Have a wonderful 2017!